Graves (Robert) Autograph letter signed ('Robert Graves') to...

Graves (Robert)

Autograph letter signed ('Robert Graves') to Mr Apthorpe, saying "In Lord Cornwallis's...he appears as Althorpe and this is repeated in History of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Unfortunately I can't rememebre the source of Apthorpe, it must have been ....History of the Campaigns in Virginia, which cost me 10 guineas to buy for the purpose of writing the novel - which I resold to Francis & Edwards the booksellers of London; or it might have been Captain Tarleton's book; both of them reliable in the main. Anyhow I didn't invent the character...unlikely to have got the name wrong by mistake, though of course Stedman (or whoever it was) may have done so", with a post script reading "I don't invent names or characters if I can possibly avoid it", two pages, some creasing, 8vo, The Vale House, Galmpton, 1 August 1944.

Provenance: the family of Mr Apthorpe. The recipient of the letter was also the inspiration for Evelyn Waugh's character in 'Men at Arms'